Amy Winehouse: Tributes paid to dead singer

The music world has been paying tribute to singer Amy Winehouse, 27, who has been found dead at her London home.Her former producer Mark Ronson said: “She was my musical soulmate and like a sister to me. This is one of the saddest days of my life.

“Comedian and actor Russell Brand posted a statement on his website, saying: “We have lost a beautiful and talented woman.”Police said the cause of Winehouse’s death was as yet unexplained.The Brit and Grammy award-winner had struggled with drink and drug addiction and had recently spent time in rehab.A statement from the Winehouse family said: “Our family has been left bereft by the loss of Amy, a wonderful daughter, sister, niece.

“She leaves a gaping hole in our lives. We are coming together to remember her and we would appreciate some privacy and space at this terrible time.”Brand, who has also struggled with drug addiction in the past, described one of the first times he saw her perform.”Entering the space I saw Amy on stage with [Paul] Weller and his band; and then the awe. The awe that envelops when witnessing a genius,” he said.At the time he met Winehouse, Brand had not yet completely dropped taking drugs and he said the pair of them “shared an affliction, the disease of addiction”.Hip-hop producer Salaam Remi, who worked on Winehouse’s albums Frank and Back To Black, paid his tribute to her on Twitter saying: “Very Very Sad Day. Just lost a Great Friend and a Sister.”
e added: “RIP my baby SiS Cherry Winehouse. Love ya always.”

News of her death has prompted tributes from other celebrity friends.TV presenter Kelly Osbourne tweeted: “i cant even breath right now im crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!”Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood dedicated his Saturday night show on Absolute Radio to Winehouse. He said: “It’s a very sad loss of a very good friend I spent many great times with.”He said a reunion performance by his former group, The Faces, in Hurtwood, Surrey, would also be dedicated to the singer.Winehouse made her last public appearance on Wednesday night when she joined her goddaughter, Dionne Bromfield, on stage at The Roundhouse in Camden.The singer danced with Bromfield and encouraged the audience to buy her album in the impromptu appearance.

On Saturday night Bromfield took to the stage at a festival in Pontypridd in Wales, just two hours after news broke of the singer’s death.The 15-year-old did not mention Winehouse during her half-hour set.Music promoter Orchard Entertainment said there had been “no pressure” on Bromfield to perform.Spokesman Tim Powell said: “It was very, very professional. We would have perfectly understood if she hadn’t wanted to perform but she very bravely did.”‘Utterly shocked’US singer Carole King described Winehouse as “very talented” but said her life had been on a “terrible course”.”She did such a beautiful performance on it. I’m just grateful she gave that gift to Gerry and me and to the world. I just really hope that she’s found peace now wherever she is,” King added.Singer Jessie J posted on Twitter: “The way tears are streaming down my face. Such a loss.”

Burlesque artist Dita Von Teese added: “Devastated. I spent extraordinary times with Amy. She sang for me once for hours, it was the most beautiful & touching thing. A huge loss.”And DJ Chris Moyles said: “Shocking terrible sad news about Amy Winehouse. Stunned. Thoughts go out to her friends and family.”BBC Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton wrote: “Can not believe the news. Amy was a special girl. The saddest news.”Daily Telegraph rock critic Neil McCormick said he was “utterly shocked” at her death.He said she had appeared focused when giving an “incredible performance” for a recent studio recording of a duet with Tony Bennett.”It’s deeply sad. It’s the most completely tragic waste of talent that I can remember,” he added.Metropolis Music, Winehouse’s management company, released a statement saying: “We are trying to come to terms with the death of a dear friend and colleague, the most amazing artist and talent.”We will always remember Amy as a vibrant, funny, caring young woman who made everyone around her feel welcome. We have lost a very special person, part of our family.”

Doug Charles-Ridler, co-owner of Winehouse’s favourite Camden pub, The Hawley Arms, called her “a special person with a good soul,” adding, “this should not have happened”. Her record label Universal called her “a gifted musician, artist and performer”, adding: “Our prayers go out to Amy’s family, friends and fans.”Winehouse pulled out of a comeback tour last month after a disastrous appearance at her first gig.She cancelled the European tour after being jeered at the show in Serbia, when she appeared too drunk to perform.

For 90 minutes, she mumbled through parts of songs and at times left the stage – leaving her band to fill in.She had recently finished a course of alcohol rehabilitation in London and at the time was under strict instructions not to drink.A section of the road where the singer lived was cordoned off on Saturday evening, as journalists, local residents and fans gathered at the police tapes.Forensic officers were seen going in and out of the building.It had been reported that Winehouse died of a drugs overdose but police spokesman Superintendent Raj Kohli said “it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death.”He added: “My sympathy extends not just to her immediate family but clearly to the thousands and millions of fans across the world.”Winehouse won widespread acclaim with her 2003 debut album, Frank – which was nominated for the Mercury prize.But it was 2006’s Back to Black which brought her worldwide stardom, winning five Grammy Awards. – BBC